Pages

Friday, July 29, 2016

Preemptive news coverage on tomorrow's protest against Don Dale and brutality in other prisons

I've noticed a trend when it comes to the reporting of rallies to do with matters of race. For example, an incredibly peaceful "Black Lives Matter" rally in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago which was attended by thousands was reported according to its massive and completely unnecessary police presence pretending that they kept things under control. Likewise, a handful of racists who heckled from the sidelines were focused on as if they were ever a threat to the peaceful assembly. Similarly, just a couple of weeks before that, when the True Blue Crew and the UPF decided to stage an absurd flag march, the media again focused on the cops and a couple of isolated altercations between the racists and some anti-racism activists. The fact that the protest and counter-protest groups didn't actually encounter each other for the main part seemed to escape the notice of the reporters.It seems that the media cannot report peaceful action against racism without inflating and manipulating facts to make out that a race riot occurred. They also cannot report anti-racism actions without deflating the numbers to make it appear that less people care about these issues than they actually do. Peaceful assemblies do not sell subscriptions. Fuelling bigotry does, even as more and more turn out to stand against said bigotry. With that in mind, here is my preemptive article on tomorrow's rally in Melbourne against the (mainly Aboriginal) children tortured in the Don Dale juvenile justice centre as well as other prisons. These rallies are also running across the country and hope to also draw attention to the exorbitant rates of incarceration of Aboriginal people. If the media wishes to use my preemptive report, they are welcome to do so but I expect credit. I also expect any proceeds to be donated to prison rehabilitation programs for Aboriginal children. I am certain what I write below will fit in with their usual angle when it comes to rallies addressing racism in this country...-----------------------------------About a hundred gathered in Melbourne today to protest the alleged brutality shown by prison officers in the Don Dale juvenile justice centre towards the young inmates following a 4 Corners report earlier this week. Blocking off all city traffic across the grid for three hours, it was clear that the vocal and sometimes rowdy crowd were not going to move on until their message was heard. Thankfully, despite there being no evidence of violent intentions from the protesters, thousands of police guarded the protest perimeters to ensure violence was kept to a minimum.A riot nearly broke out when a couple of proud Australians with '88' tattoos on their necks gathered near the protest stating "you do the crime, you do the time" while holding #alllivesmatter banners. Thankfully, the police were able to separate the patriots from the random dudes wearing all black and face coverings.Speaking from the screen, Sergeant Plod stated "we are confident that we have alleviated all threats of violence here today. After forming a protective circle around patriot groups, we escorted them back to Melbourne Central Station to ensure that they were able to get their message across without being harmed by the anti-racism extremists. I commend all my fellow officers on their vigilance today".As the protesters wound through the city chanting "justice for Don Dale children" and "not in my name", several tram services had to be cancelled or rerouted. Disgruntled football fans criticised the selfish rabble and called for an end to all protests. Lord Mayor Doyle has pledged he will work with the Victorian government to ensure such disruptions are minimised or removed in the future and that the MCG has the facilities to keep the Four & Twenties warm just in case.Protesters finished their protest by standing around a fire and linking hands. Emergency fire service workers were on hand to ensure that the crowds did not burn the city down. After finishing their occupation of the CBD, the protesters dispersed quietly to grab soy lattes and vegan meals. The city was declared by officials to be safe once again for nice people with jobs.

About Me

Arrernte, feminist, hard left, trade unionist, with a taste for protopunk.
.
Commentators: if you're using "Anonymous" to place a comment, please at least sign it off with a name or handle. I don't want "Anonymous" comments all over my blog because it gives me no one to respond to!
Like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/blackfeministranter